"And swear, come what may, that thou wilt wed no man but me."

"I swear, if thou dost remain true to me, that I will wed none but thee,
Eric."

"Then I am sure of thee."

"Boast not overmuch, Eric: if thou dost live thy days are all before
thee, and with times come trials."

Now the snow whirled down faster and more thick, till these two, clasped
heart to heart, were but a heap of white, and all white was the horse,
and Swanhild was nearly buried.

"Where go we when we die, Eric?" said Gudruda; "in Odin's house there is
no place for maids, and how shall my feet fare without thee?"

"Nay, sweet, my May, Valhalla shuts its gates to me, a deedless man; up
Bifrost's rainbow bridge I may not travel, for I do not die with byrnie
on breast and sword aloft. To Hela shall we go, and hand in hand."

"Art thou sure, Eric, that men find these abodes? To say sooth, at times
I misdoubt me of them."

"I am not so sure but that I also doubt. Still, I know this: that where
thou goest there I shall be, Gudruda."

"Then things are well, and well work the Norns.[*] Still, Eric, of a
sudden I grow fey: for it comes upon me that I shall not die to-night,
but that, nevertheless, I shall die with thy arms about me, and at thy